manila fashion observer

And The Winners of Catalogue63's Giveaway Are...

2012-01-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

Parker tee in black - NINA MORFE

Square tee in white - JO CRISOSTOMO REYES

Boxy tee in gray stripe - MA. CECILIA LI

Congratulatons ladies, your names were randomly picked out by the ladies of Catalogue63! Catalogue63 will contact you via FB/Twitter to arrange the shipment of your prize to you!

Hair Pampering Day with Dessange

2012-01-25T00:16:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I was invited by Rustan's to a "hair pampering day" hosted by Dessange International, a French beauty line, at Emphasis in Rockwell. After years of living abroad and not having a real treat at the salon, save for hair cuts, I thought it came at the right time! Plus you know me, anything French, I already like, haha!

Now, since we are expecting Baby #2 aka Dragon Dychiao (it's just a nickname until we find out the gender, heehee), I was also worried about using harsh chemicals on my hair. Thankfully, Christopher Picault of Dessange was flown in to personally talk to invited guests about their products and was there to recommend the right products for me to use.

Turns out I cannot use Phytodess, their hair & scalp treatment line that contains zinc.

But Monsieur Picault recommended that I use these - Creme de Palme once a week after I give birth, and any of their shampoos like Bamboo, Ylang-Ylang or Vitamin C for daily use, given that hormones can really take a toll on a pregnant woman's hair.

I ended up using products from their amber-scented premium line, Dessange Paris, which includes Black Pearl Resides with its fortifying, remineralizing, and anti-aging virtues. Now I have to tell you, my hair has been limp and lacking luster these days, a result of pregnancy hormones again, according to Monsieur Picault. So he suggested using Dessange Paris nourishing shampoo, applied on dry hair & scalp and massaged thoroughly, followed by a mask specifically targeted to moisturize dry hair. He said that what makes the mask special is that it is activated by humidity. Wow, for once, humidity is not an enemy!

I don't have photos to show, but trust me when I say my hair looked a lot better after the treatment. It felt silky for a change, and with a bit of blow-drying transformed my limp locks into a polished bob. Now, if only I can go to the salon everyday!

Oh, and before I forget, there's also the youthful Camille Alban line, also from Dessange International, which infuses fruits like fig, pomegranate, orange with other natural ingredients like honey, argan oil and henna to create products that are as effective for the hair as they sound yummy divine.

Dessange Paris, Phytodess and Camille Alban from Dessange International are available exclusively at Rustan's.

NOW OPEN! GKonomics Design Lab and Showroom

2012-01-24T01:15:00.000-08:00

Right on the third floor of the Gawad Kalinga Pinagsama center in Brgy. Pinagsama, Taguig is the GKonomics Design Lab and Showroom, a showcase of all the products that various Gawad Kalinga communities across the country produce as part of their livelihood training. After all, with dignified homes come the need to empower and help the community become self-sustaining. By providing GK residents with marketable skills, and teaching them good business practices, GKonomics hopes to pave the way to economic independence and wealth creation in all GK communities.

According to Divine Duran, who is the communications director of GKonomics, "Our mantra is, with every product, we share a story and with every purchase, a purpose." Given such a noble cause we of course accepted her invitation to attend the launch of their first ever showroom. With Ate Divine's cousin Nina, who is one of my bestest friends, we trooped over to Taguig, and braved three flights of stairs despite our bulging bellies i.e. Yes! We are both expecting Dragon babies! *Cue fire breathing here, hahaha!*

Here I am pregnant at 14 weeks, my BFF Nina at almost 6 months!

Divine Duran, Communications Director with Marivic Poblador-Pineda, Product Development Director, GKonomics

The launch was graced by Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga, interior designer Ivy Almario who designed the GKonomics showroom, Archie King & Bobby Rodrigo

If you are looking for souvenir items for a wedding or a party, unique and meaningful gifts to give to friends who have everything, or pasalubong from back home, then it's worth a trek to visit the Showroom and Design Lab. Apart from being able to buy what's on display, you may have items custom made to your taste or color motif, place wholesale/bulk orders in advance, or just visit to check out the interesting products they have on display.

Like these baskets, totes and hats made from "Bankuan", a local material sourced by a GK community in Camarines Sur:

This slouchy Bankuan bag is my favorite, and I can imagine Japanese ladies loving these! They do like straw totes!

Totes, wallets, tissue box holders and iPad cases made from Zesto doy packs. These are made by residents of GK Sunshineville with the support of Maraming Bayani Foundation who provides the community with the raw materials used to create these products. I have seen these around in New York and Singapore actually!

Capiz products by GK Sta. Rita in Las Pinas. I remember Ate Divine's brother Angelo gave capiz tealight candle holders as giveaways for his wedding a few years ago. They also had these lighted and put on display right on the guest tables. Very pretty!

This sparkly evening clutch is made from...guess what?! A discarded video tape! How amazing is that?

Then there are candles galore in all shapes and sizes. Some of the pieces are quite funny, like the mini lechons! Hahaha!

Then there are Assumption Iloilo Cookbooks available for Php600 a piece. Proceeds from the cookbook sales are used to build homes for the less fortunate through a partnership with Gawad Kalinga.

This Hope box made from Pandan leaves are made by the weavers of Dr. Rafael San Agustin Legacy Village in San Carlos, Negros Occidental. The calados from the emblem and bookmark was learned from the Spaniards and adapted by Filipino woodworkers.

Products made from indigenous fabrics and weaves made in partnership with Randy Ortiz and GK Sulu as part of their social artisty program.

The totes above are partly made from inverted tarpaulin actually! Here's the reverse, it used to be a Mighty Bond billboard ad:

Bags, clutches and coin purses made from colored plastic bags:

The gift boxes for Theo and Philo chocolates are made by residents of GK Pangil in Laguna. If you are looking for makers of pretty gift boxes, GK Pangil could probably make some for you too!

More than just pretty and practical gift items, there are interesting finds in the showroom as well. Such as this Monobloc chair cover! It really adds character to a nondescript plastic chair, especially a scuffed and battle scarred chair that has been around for years:

Then there's the Kawayan Tech bike made by residents of GKonomics communities who are trained in bike making. You can actually custom-order these bikes at the showroom and have your bike come in the colors of your choice. Although I would prefer seeing the natural beauty of the kawayan actually.

There's actually a lot more to discover in the showroom, and everyone is invited to drop by, say hello, shop and share ideas! Congratulations to Mr. Tony Meloto, his team of Gkonomics ladies who are all women not only of leisure but also of substance, and most especially the GK communities! May the Gkonomics Showroom and Design Lab continue to be an incubator of great things discover, create, and share with the world!

The Gkonomics Design Lab and Showroom accepts customized orders for company events and special occasions, including individual purchases and bulk orders from local and international organizations.

Where to Find:
3/F GK Brgy. Pinagsama (inside green gate)
Western Bicutan, Taguig City
(Go past Maria Reyna de los Apostoles Church)

Catalogue63's And Apparel Tees Giveaway!

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

Parker tee in black

Square tee in white

Boxy tee in gray stripe

The T-shirt is a wardrobe staple that we all should have piles of in our closets. It's the perfect thing to throw around when you really don't want to think about what to wear. It can be dressed up with a sequin skirt, or worn the way it was meant to be, as a basic piece paired with shorts, leggings or jeans during lazy days.

Of course, t-shirts acquire an edge of its own when they don't look like the typical basic tee, like And Apparel's drapey, edgy pieces! Best of all, Catalogue63 is giving away 3 tees to 3 MFO readers! All you have to do is:

1) Choose which one of the 3 shirts above you would like to win

2) Like Catalogue 63 on Facebook

3) On the picture of the shirt you like from THIS ALBUM, leave a comment sharing what you like about the shirt. This equals one entry.

4) Follow @catalogue63 on Twitter for an additional entry and tweet @Catalogue63 which shirt you would like to win. Facebook like + following @Catalogue63 on Twitter = 2 entries (Contestants must like Catalogue63 on FB, not just follow them on Twitter, to be eligible to win)

5) Promo ends at 9 pm of January 25, the last day of the giveaway period

6) Three winners will be picked randomly (raffle) – one winner for each shirt

7) Winners will be announced through MFO a day or 2 days after the end of the giveaway period

8) Catalogue 63 contact the winners through FB and Twitter after they are announced to arrange shipment of their prize to them

NOTE: Winners must be based in the Philippines.

Bliss Gets Happy!

2012-01-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

Before I explain the reason for my sudden and way too long absence (teehee, sorry!) the reason of which family and close friends know by now, I'd like to share with you this blissfully happy news from my friend, the now New York-based accessories designer Happy David!

After taking up further studies in jewelry design at FIT, scoring coveted internships at the studios of Dana Lorenz and Alexis Bittar, and continuously working on honing her craft, Happy is unveiling a month long exhibition of her work at BLISS on BLISS STUDIO in New York, a creative space run by artists Ged Merino and his wife Carolina Morales!

For those who recall Happy's work back in Manila, you'd remember her for her fun, whimsical pieces. But as you can see from her most recent work made in New York, such as the cuff on the invite above, which is inspired by woven mats, her designs have acquired a more sophisticated, elegant but still edgy quality to them.

The artist's reception was held last Sunday, January 15, 2011 at Bliss on Bliss, with a special performance by neighborhood band Hide Inaba.

If you are in the area, drop by Bliss on Bliss Studio, the exhibition runs for a month until mid-Feb. It is open to all, Tuesdays to Saturdays 9am-4pm or by appointment.

Bliss on Bliss Studio
4149A 45th St. Ground Flr.
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Directions: BLISS STREET STOP on 7 TRAIN
Phone: +19177679735

Now for those in the US who would like to buy Happy's work, she has been selling her pieces at the Manhattan outpost of NIDA, whose first boutique was opened in San Francisco.

The carefully-curated boutique which carries labels such as IRO, MALOLES, YVES SALOMON, BA&SH, LES PRAIRIES DE PARIS, BALMAIN, EROTOKRITOS, MAISON OLGA, RUE DU MAIL, and PAUL & JOE SISTER has been selling Happy's pieces for about a year now, and Happy considers it an honor to be carried alongside these hot European brands!

NIDA Boutique
573 Hudson Street
NY, NY 10014
Email: nidaboutique.ny@gmail.com

For more information about the exhibit or Happy's body of work, contact Happy at gethappynow@gmail.com

New Jeffrey Campbells at SM Fashion Forum!

2011-12-10T07:37:00.000-08:00

JC Fans, it's a HAPPY SATURDAY! Because there's a new batch of JCs over at SM Fashion Forum Makati, Megamall and Cebu! Here's a rundown:

Elegant stud loafer in black (available only in Makati & Megamall)

Foxy wood in grey: also comes in black and nude (available in Makati, Megamall & Cebu)

Franklin 2 in white (available only in Makati & Megamall)

Lita comes in royal blue and black distressed calf (available in Makati, Megamall & Cebu)

Mariel in tan suede: also comes in black suede (available only in Makati & Megamall)

Sabine in nude (available only in Makati & Megamall)

Sassy in black: also comes in nude and mint (available in Makati, Megamall & Cebu)

With new JCs at Fashion Forum, party season can now officially begin with your yummy new shoes! You'd have to hurry though, due to popular demand, no pre-reservations allowed, but customers can hold it for 24 hours in-store!

From Click to Brick: Catalogue63 Showroom

2011-12-10T04:41:00.000-08:00

Here's a special shopping treat. If you want to shop away from the maddening crowds in malls and bazaars, then make an appointment to shop Catalogue63's showroom in The Fort!

The complete Catalogue 63 collection is in full view at their Bonifacio Global City (The Fort) showroom this holiday season. All the merchandise online will be available here.

They will be open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 1PM to 7PM by appointment only.

If you'd like to schedule a personal shopping experience with Catalogue63, send an email to Martina at mgomez@catalogue63.com, SMS them at 0915-3256953 or give them a call at 02-2114267.

Rootote Holiday Sale

2011-12-10T04:23:00.000-08:00

This season, Rootote is spreading the holiday cheers with a holiday sale from December 1-15, 2011.

Get 20% OFF on all bags from their new collection. Sale is applicable online and in Bratpack Greenbelt 5 and ROX Bonifacio High Street.

Also, Rootote will be in your favorite bazaars! Check them out at Port 88 in Megatent this December 10-11 and at the Cuenca Bazaar in Ayala Alabang this December 16-18.

googoo&gaga Trunk Show

2011-12-10T04:16:00.000-08:00

Some fun shopping news from Audrey & AJ of googoo&gaga! And you're all invited!

The googoo&gaga Trunk Show is on for our holiday collection! We're releasing 10 new designs in total! Visit googooandgaga.com to check out all designs! Join us this Saturday, December 10 (11am-6pm) at Unit 15-B, Two Lafayette Square, 105 Tordesillas St. Salcedo Village, Makati City.

We will be giving away googoo&gaga bandanas and cookies to the first 50 guests! So do come early!
Please email us through audrey[at]googooandgaga.com if you have questions. As a bonus, our friends over at Gizmotherapy.com will be selling some of their wares.

SEE YOU THERE!

With Love & Madness,
The googoo&gaga Team

House of Trois Trunk Show

2011-12-10T04:14:00.000-08:00

In Fort Bonifacio this Saturday? Then drop by House of Trois' Trunk Show happening today, December 10! Score gifts for the precious ones in your life and maybe treat yourself to a piece or two.

WHEN: Saturday, December 10, 2011
WHERE: Kensington Place, Pool Side Function Room
29th Street cor 1st Ave, Bonifacio Global City
TIME: 3 PM to 7 PM
CONTACT: (02) 856-2101 for directions

Oh! And if you mention that you read MFO, you get 10% OFF! Happy Happy Shopping!

MFO Shoe Series: Samantha Sotto, Paranaque

2011-12-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

Samantha Sotto needs no introduction. She's been interviewed on TV, in magazines, newspapers and blogs, she's probably a household name in book loving households by now. In fact, most of you have probably read and have been enthralled by her novel, Before Ever After, like I have. But this feature is not about her writing, or her book. Today, we talk to Samantha about her shoes! But of course, without first asking, "What shoes where you wearing when you wrote your book?"

Sam's answer: I mostly wore my Chucks while writing Before Ever After since the table I was writing at Starbucks was beneath the airconditioning vent. It was too cold to wear flipflops! Haha!

As for the shoes she wore while backpacking around Europe? Sam shares, "Sadly, the EU backpacking shoes are long gone. R.I.P., brown Naturalizer sandals..."

Sam initially hesitated to bare her sole, saying her collection of shoes weren't exactly feature worthy. But I begged to differ. I for one want to know what sort of shoes a famous author wears on a daily basis. And I am pretty sure, there are many aspiring writers as well who'd want to be in her shoes!

Sam's "Dang-why-don't-we-have-autumn-in-Manila" shoes

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

25. This is the most I've ever owned. I used to just keep an inventory of four shoes: one black heel, one brown heel, a pair of blue Chucks, and one neutral sandal. One time when I was at work, the strap of my shoe broke and I had to staple it together. That was wakeup call to treat my feet better. Haha!

What's your shoe size?

6 1/2 - 7

Which pairs are your favorites?

1.) Everyday mommy shoe: Tan Aerosole flipflop

2.) Travel shoe: Tan Tod's slip on (It makes going through airport security a breeze. It also makes it easy to stuff my feet back into my shoes while I'm wearing airline socks and need to use the restroom.)

3.) I-need-to-look-like-a-grown-up-shoe: Aldo nude 5 inch heel

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be?

My Bass nude wedge. It's as comfortable as a flip flop and goes with everything.

What are your favorite shoe brands?

Bass, Aerosoles, Rockport, Naturalizer, and Colehaan. Notice a pattern here? I'm definitely a manang when it comes to footwear. Comfort comes first. If I need a pair of ten-minute heels for an event, I'll run over to Charles and Keith or Aldo.

What's in your shoe lust list?

A red pair of Chucks.

Where do you buy shoes?

Outlet shops. There's nothing like a great discount to make a shoe feel more comfortable ;-)

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out?

My blue pair of Chucks. They're ratty and old but we've been through a lot together.

For more on Samantha, visit her website: http://samanthasotto.com/

Carioca at Brown Bag Vintage

2011-12-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

Mikka Padua of Chicify and her sister revived Carioca, their line of caftans, kimonos, and tunics and they're re-launching today at the Brown Bag Vintage and Crafts Market at The Filipinas Heritage Library in Ayala Triangle, Makati.

But before you think these are just pretty things to wear to the beach, and in this rainy weather, you're not in the mood to shop for beach clothes, think again! The pieces are also meant for city wear, and they're adorbs! I seriously want to wear these while doing my daily tasks:

Mikka will also be selling her clutches and a few handmade statement necklaces.

Oh! And there's a 10% discount for MFO readers too! Just mention "MFO", or you can say "I read MFO!" and you automatically get the discount ;)

So if you work along Ayala, or within the vicinity of Legaspi or Salcedo Villages, you might want to brave the rain and kill time shopping at Brown Bag Vintage & Crafts Market at Filipinas Heritage Library in front of Manila Pen. And! Don't forget to look forward to sunny days ahead with Carioca!

Marni x H&M This Spring 2012!

2011-11-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

I am normally not a print person, but I always give Consuelo Castiglioni of Marni a free pass. I often find myself longingly browsing at Marni, wishing I could buy everything in the store. I mean, I don't even wear heels and wedges, but her chunky take on shoes convince me I need one in my wardrobe. Now if only I can snag one on sale, because you know, these things when they do, they go fast!

So when I saw in my inbox that the next collaboration with H&M would be Marni, I was almost hyperventilating with excitement! This I personally feel, is the best one yet! The dream team!

Here's what Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director of Marni says about her collection for H&M: “I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”.

Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor H&M enthuses.“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring“.

Available from March 8, 2012 in around 260 stores worldwide and online (in countries where they do sell online), the collection features both clothing and accessories for men and women.

For women, expect all Marni staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knits, while fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. To complete the look, the collection also includes jewellery, shoes, bags and scarves.

For men, the colours and fabrics are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that are truly Marni. The use of print is subtle, often as a lining or as a contrast detail for shirts, the silhouette a modern and relaxed take on masculine classics.

To get you more excited, I leave you with the teaser! Consuelo promises "everything has the same quality, craft and attention to detail that Marni is known for". Eeeeee! This is one collection I am seriously contemplating lining up for!

Rags 2 Riches Sale

2011-11-28T02:24:00.000-08:00

Three Dots Promo

2011-11-25T20:30:00.000-08:00

Get 55% off for every SS Crew T-shirt purchase at Itsie-Bitsie! Sale ends this Sunday, November 27!

Toms Style Your Sole

2011-11-25T19:08:00.000-08:00

Happening this weekend, 10 am to 7 pm in Rustan's Makati!

Adorbs!

2011-11-25T18:11:00.000-08:00

Planking, owling and all those silly poses have never looked this chic!

By George!

2011-11-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

My friend Belinda got me to look at leather shoppers with a fresh eye since she told me about hers, and I feel like jumping into the trend, teehee. While satchels are the hottest bag shape these days, leather totes in the shape of grocery bags are going to be hot, I can feel it. With versions ranging from Margiela to Baggu, there's a leather grocery tote to suit every budget.

If a stylized tote is more your thing, and you don't want something too literal, then consider the Givenchy George V Shopper. They've been around for years now, but when I saw these on the window of Givenchy in Paragon, I admit I did a double take.

It's quite nice no?

Go Green Sproutlets

2011-11-24T06:44:00.000-08:00

Michelle of My Mom Friday recently brought in Green Sproutlets, a line of eco-friendly children's clothes that her sister-in-law designed and developed in the US.

Hypo-allergenic and perfect for kids with sensitive skin, Green Sproutlets are made from natural fibers like certified bamboo, organic cotton, and other sustainable fabrics such as soy or hemp, they also use water-based ink and low impact dyes for printing.

According to Michelle, "They're all cute and reasonably-priced, and hope parents will want to have it for their kids."

With sizes ranging from 0 to 5T, and priced from Php495 to Php899, these do make wonderful presents for the little ones in your life!

Boys Reversible Blanket Php720

Boys Kimono Set with Beanie Php899

Girls Long Sleeves Tee (polka) Php695

Boys Long Sleeves Tee (dusk blue) Php695

Buy Green Sproutlets at Mothering Earthlings Shop and get more updates via their Facebook page.

For orders, interested resellers, inquiries, email: mymomfriday@gmail.com

Stay Active with Respirez Apparel

2011-11-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

Ion Actif Prima Tank and Fitted Jean Capri

It seems that a lot of my good friends have switched careers and have gone into yoga these days.

Pat Ramos, a Kellogg MBA grad/business consultant, is now an instructor who also blogs about yoga. Ivy Melchor moved back to Manila from NY and became part-owner of green yoga studio Urban Ashram. And now Jenny Yu who has worked in advertising and banking, has brought in yoga wear from the West Coast.

Her newly launched company, Respirez Apparel Co. is the authorized distributor of well-made, enduring performance apparel brands like Ion Actif from Los Angeles, California and Silver Icing from Vancouver, Canada. Both brands are versatile enough to be used when working on your asanas, running a 10k marathon, or simply just treading on that treadmill.

Ion Actif Cargo Capri and Pocketed Halter Tank

Silver Icing Julia Tee in Cobalt and Serena Tank in White

Jenny decided to merge her two passions: fashion and staying fit after arriving from a vacation in the West Coast. She was inspired by how people from California and Vancouver, including Hollywood celebrities, dressed up in comfortable and fashionable activewear that could take them straight from the gym to running errands around town. But to be decked out in Lululemon isn't too kind on the pocket, so she thought of bringing in high quality brands that did not break the bank.

Of course, what is yoga without mats? Jenny also brought in YogaRat from Santa Monica, California, which specializes in eco-friendly active accessories such as non-toxic mats and non-slip microfiber towels designed with fun colors and eye-catching prints that would surely brighten up your yoga practice and fitness activities.

YogaRat non-toxic yoga mats

YogaRat non-slip microfiber yoga towel

Look for Ion Actif, Silver Icing and YogaRat at Toby’s Arena located at the 1st Floor of Shangri-la Plaza Mall and Beyond Yoga located at the 3rd Floor of Il Terrazzo Building in Tomas Morato.

Silver Icing Wilma Zip and Cameron Pant in Black

Now, here's the best part. A giveaway! Jenny and MFO will be giving away YogaRat accessories and Ion Actif activewear for your workout wardrobe! To join, here's how:

1) Like the Respirez Apparel fan page: http://www.facebook.com/RespirezApparel

2) Go through the albums and share the image of the item you like on the Respirez Apparel wall and indicate what activity you would most likely use / wear the item. Tag Manila Fashion Observer and Respirez Apparel in the post.

e.g. “@Manila Fashion Observer: I heart @Respirez Apparel’s (item name)__________ because it is perfect to use / wear while I (activity) __________.”

When the Respirez Apparel group hits 300 “likes”, we will be giving away a YogaRat non-slip microfiber yoga towel.

When the group hits 600 “likes”, we will be giving away a YogaRat non-toxic yoga mat.

And when the group hits 1000 “likes”, we will be giving away an Ion Actif top.

Note: Shipping of items within Metro Manila only. Winners will be announced on MFO and through personal message.

the gentlewoman

2011-11-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

Sarj said she instantly thought of me when she saw the maiden issue of The Gentlewoman with Phoebe Philo on a magazine rack back in 2010. So she bought me a copy and I have been hooked since then.

I have religiously collected all 4 issues, each one as delightful as the last. Even though it says Fabulous women's magazine under the title, on the cover, there's nothing cringe inducing about the self-appointed fabulousness. It's no Kimora Lee "fab". Fab here is honest to goodness. It truly is all that. And more.

Never have I read a magazine as effortless and as thoughtfully written as this title. No hard sell. Each girl featured is a class act. A gentlewoman through and through.

What sets The Gentlewoman apart from today's magazines is that it focuses on "the women of the future, on women who live extraordinary lives". Penny Martin, the magazine's Editor in Chief says in her own words:

The Gentlewoman welcomes you to a new decade of inspirational, international women: stylish, intrepid and often hilarious ones. Remarkable subjects: contemporaries (not celebrities) who are setting new agendas, solving new problems and forming new opinions...

...The Gentlewoman champions the optimism, sincerity and ingenuity that actually get things done...

...The Gentlewoman delights equally in discovering new, surprising characters and in reminding us of the ones who have been quietly being brilliant for years.

The women here, although established in their own fields and stars in their own right, are still all very much relatable. Maybe because the portraits and interviews present the women as they are - "how they actually look, sound and dress." Save for the famous faces that have graced the covers, inside you will meet in various instances - the artist Jenny Holzer, the hardworking royal Princess Mabel, the remarkable Poilâne heiress, Apollonia and more. They may be little known names outside their circle but all worthy of being profiled.

Maybe its the genuineness that resonates with me. Sometimes reading magazines can be exhausting. The way you get barraged with products and dictated on what's in or who's hot. Featuring people, the same people, every time. Even if you don't really want to read about them, but they're there because they sell.

The Gentlewoman would have none of that. But still, it is one magazine I read from cover to cover, and something I can imagine building a collection on. Thank goodness it's a biannual, I only have 2 to store each year. Kind of sucks that it does not come out as often as I would like, which then again makes it all the more precious to me. The release of each new issue is an event I look forward to.

I am pretty sure I won't see the likes of Kimora or Kim K. here.

WHERE TO BUY:
Singapore - Kinokuniya
New York - Barnes & Noble, newsstands

SUBSCRIPTIONS:
US - Amazon and ExpressMag
UK/Worldwide - Magazine Cafe

Accessories on AVA!

2011-11-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

Accessories sale ongoing over at AVA!

And! After seeing Kristine's pieces for Deux Yeux, I can't wait to see what's in store for us on Nov 23!

MFO Shoe Series: Monique Buensalido, Manila

2011-11-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

I first knew of Monique Buensalido from The Philippine Star's Young Star section where she writes a column. But it was only over Twitter that we "met", when her friends AC and Joni told me that Monique was super into shoes, and that I should feature her here in the blog.

Monique describes herself in Twitter as someone who "Loves coffee, writing, sunblock and fat animals." But it looks like she forgot to mention another love, shoes. What's special about Monique is that she's proof that one doesn't have to spend a fortune in order to indulge a shoe habit. Here's her account:

I LOVE shoes. I love unique-looking shoes and I love heels—the higher, the better, just as long as they’re comfortable. While I love crazy high shoes, I have to be able to actually walk in them. That’s why I love shoes with chunky heels or high platforms on the soles.

These bootie wedges from Monica Fig are like five inches high but super comfortable!

I classify my shoes according to how long I can wear them. I have only-for-affairs-that-I’m-mostly-seated shoes, two-hour shoes, four-hour shoes, and dugs-dugs shoes (which I can wear until the wee hours of the morning without having my shoes scream at me).

When I have a lot of errands or running around to do, I switch from my heels to my trusty flats. (Clockwise from top left): Animal print flats from Hong Kong, snakeskin sandals from SM, strappy flats from The Ramp at Crossings, black and white flats from Schu, gray ballet flats from SM, espadrilles from Casa Hernanz in Madrid.

I’m also very cheap so I don’t have a lot of expensive pairs. I scour through department stores, bazaars and local retailers for great-looking shoes. I’m slowly learning to grit my teeth and pay more money for better quality (I’ve had horror stories of cheap but painful shoes, or pairs that fall apart) but as much as possible I like the challenge of looking for gorgeous pairs that don’t cost a lot. More than just the aesthetic of the shoes, I love announcing the good prices I get for my shoes!

I love how lovely this pair from Charles and Keith looks and how sexy my legs look in them too. I wore them to a work event and the hours of standing were totally worth all the compliments I got (my favorite: “Honey, those shoes just paid for themselves!”).

A lot of my shoes have stories behind them too—how I waited months for them to go on sale, how I tracked down a specific store abroad to buy them, how I bought a pair online only to have SM Parisian release the same pair a year later. The funniest was when I went on a self-imposed shoe embargo from January 2009 to my birthday in May, and it drove me insane. On my birthday, I bought eight pairs on the get go. I’m never going on a shoe embargo again!

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Let’s just say around 50-70. I’m afraid to actually count, haha.

What's your shoe size?

8.5 to 9

Which pairs are your favorites?

1) My animal print wedges from Forever 21. I love how animal print shoes never go out of style and provide a perfect BAM! to your outfits. This particular pair is so comfortable too, I’ve worn them to concerts where there were no seats and my feet never complained.

2) Printed pumps from Aldo. Funny story: I really wanted this pair for my birthday, but it was over my budget, so one of my friends offered to buy it for me and gave me three months to pay him back, without interest, as his “birthday gift” to me.

3) Black wedges from SM Parisian (bottom left). This pair is CRAZY comfortable. CRAZY, CRAZY, CRAZY comfortable. I could literally run in these shoes.

4) Oxfords from Renegade Folk. It’s a beautiful pair that goes from classic to quirky, depending on the outfit!

5) Printed pumps from Schu. Came across these in a sale and scored them for P799! When I saw them I knew I couldn’t leave the store without them.

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be?

What a difficult question! It would either be my glitter heels from Schu because they’re so comfortable and pack a glittery punch...

...or my glitter oxfords from Schu (bottom right) for the same reason. I’m not really into glitter, but if I’m going to be wearing the same pair of shoes for the rest of my life, they’d better be comfortable and eye-popping!

What are your favorite shoe brands?

SM Parisian!

Cream studded booties (3rd from L) and brown boots (2nd form L) from SM Parisian

What's in your shoe lust list?

Heel-less shoes from Das shoes.

Rajo! For Parisian. I’ve only seen the sketches, but I really like the one on top!

Kermit Tesoro’s Skull Heels!

Where do you buy shoes?

Department stores (especially SM!), shoe stores like Janylin and Charles and Keith, small local retailers that I can find in The Ramp by Crossings or bazaars, and local online sellers like Monica Fig and Gold Dot.

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out?

My blue shoes from SM Parisian. They’re so worn out already but I love the shape and the shade of blue. I also love my strappy blue pair from CMG, which I’ve worn out so much but I love to death. Got them on sale for P999!

Actually, I’m notorious for wearing out shoes and not wanting to throw them away. I always try to get them fixed, re-glued, re-sewn or re-painted in Mr. Quickie. (Again, I’m cheap like that.) Recently, my Mom and I had a Save-or-Throw session with my shoe collection. She kept pulling pairs out, begging me to throw them away because they were peeling or broken or what not, and I kept reasoning out “But they’re pretty! But they can be fixed! But I’ve had them since forever!” In the end, I was able to clean out a third of my collection. It hurt, but it also meant I had space to get more shoes!

White CdG x Cambridge Satchel

2011-11-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

Spotted at Comme des Garçons in Hilton Shopping Gallery. Gleaming white Cambridge Satchels made in collaboration with CdG! It comes in 2 sizes. You like?

And speaking of the Hilton, maybe you'd like to know more about what is in there! I wrote about Hilton Shopping Gallery in a post entitled Heaven at The Hilton for MegaStyle.ph:

I have been blogging weekly for MegaStyle.ph since October, with a column called This Side Up, where I dish out on everything that's up and about in the cities where I am at. From the H&M Showroom here in Singapore to the modern and impressive shopping malls of Kuala Lumpur, you can explore them all with me, there! See you at MegaStyle.ph!

Unarosa Holiday 2011

2011-11-15T21:19:00.000-08:00

UNAROSA has been consistently churning out great pieces season after season and their holiday campaign for 2011, called The Neo-Noir Collection is no exception. I am feeling a Gucci/70s/Studio 54 vibe here! See for yourselves what's in store:

For the complete Holiday Lookbook with prices, click HERE!

To start shopping for the holidays, visit Unarosa at Shangri-La Plaza, SM Megamall, The Block at SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, Shoppesville Greenhills and Marquee Mall in Pampanga.